Time and again, during the Sierra Club's fights for clean energy and climate action, we've seen politicians side with the fossil fuel companies that stuff their campaign coffers instead of with the people that they are supposed to represent.

The illustrated cover of this week's issue of The New Yorker magazine says it all. Titled "Undeterred," it shows a determined flood survivor in water up to his backpack, shining his flashlight through the darkness onto a sign: "Vote Here Vote Aqui."

As we head into Election Day, Hurricane Sandy underscores how decades of poor policy decisions regarding voter registration and access to the ballot have created significant barriers to political participation across the Empire State.